"We will bring the bill to the floor when we are ready," Pelosi said at the White House after she and other House Democratic leaders met with President Obama.

House and Senate members are trying to merge the different health care bills they passed last year, with Obama assisting the negotiations. "We've had a very intense couple of days," Pelosi said. "I think we're very close to reconciliation."

Pelosi declined to comment on the fate of one difference: A publicly funded health insurance option. The House bill has one. The Senate does not, as some Democrats argued that the public option would lead to a government-run health care system.

Final legislation must be judged in terms of "affordability" and "accountability,' Pelosi said; making sure people can afford health insurance, and that insurance companies are held accountable if they refuse those who are ill or have pre-existing conditions.

Abortion coverage is another point of difference between the House and Senate health care bills.

Congressional Republicans have denounced the Democratic health care talks, saying leaders should work out differences in a House-Senate conference committee that would include GOP members. House Republican leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, said the meetings also violate Obama's pledge to conduct a more transparent government.

"Skipping a real, open conference would shut out the American people and break one of President Obama's signature campaign promises," Boehner said. "It would be a disgrace."

Some liberal House Democrats have insisted on the public option, putting more pressure on Pelosi and other House leaders as they try to negotiate a final deal with the Senate.

"We have to be able to sell it not just to our Democratic caucus, but to the American people," said Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.

Rangel participated in the meeting with Pelosi and Obama. The other guests were also committee chairs: Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., of Energy and Commerce; Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., of Education and Labor; and Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., of the Rules Committee.

(Posted by David Jackson)